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Cabarrus Special Olympics <br /> <br /> Cabarrus Special Olympics is a county-wide program <br />designed to serve mentally retarded individuals living in <br />Cabarrus County by providing athletic training and competi- <br />tion. The program involves individuals living independently, <br />in group homes, and with their families. The coordinator and <br />12 member steering committee, consisting of representatives <br />from the medical field, the local school systems, human <br />service agencies, parents, athletes, and civic groups oversee <br />the program. The Special Populations/Special Events Super- <br />visor, working in conjunction with the steering committee, is <br />responsible for developing year-round local training and <br />competition opportunities, recruiting new athletes, hosting <br />local competition, and fund raising. <br /> <br /> In the past year, Cabarrus Special Olympics participated <br />in the following training and competitive areas: <br /> <br />Alpine Ski Program: The Cabarrus Special Olympics Al- <br />pine Ski Team began their eight weeks of dry-land training in <br />mid-October. In January, the full ski '.team including ten <br />athletes and six coaches attended the North Carolina Special <br />Olympics Winter Games in Boone. Over the last six years the <br />ski team has developed a strong bond among athletes and <br />coaches which has continued offthe mountain. In the summer <br />of 1995 the ski team members and coaches will take a trip to <br />Walt Disney World with money that was raised by team <br />activities. <br /> <br />Aquatics Program: The Cabarrus Special Olympics aquatic <br />team trained and competed over a nine month period begin- <br />ning in September. The ten member and three coach team <br />practices weekly at the Cannon Memorial YMCA in Kan- <br />napolis. Competition included invitational and regional swim <br />meets and statewide competition at the North Carolina Special <br />Olympics Summer Games in Raleigh. In addition to the swim <br />team, three other swim coaches and 20 volunteers conducted <br />an eight week "Learn to Swim" program for 30 non-swim- <br />mers. <br /> <br />Athletics Program: In January, Cabarrus County schools <br />and human service agencies began training athletes in track <br />and field competition, and motor activity events for the Spring <br />competition. Approximately 700 local athletes, coaches, and <br />volunteers participated in the Cabarrus County Special Olym- <br />pics Spring Games held at Mt. Pleasant High School in April. <br />Seven athletes and four coaches joined the Aquatics team in <br />Raleigh for the North Carolina Special Olympics Summer <br />Games. <br /> <br />15 <br /> <br /> <br />